Top 20 Professional Animation Training Programs in Europe - 2026 School Rankings

Aardman Academy (Aardman) has been training animators since 2000. The academy provides in-person and online programs than can be completed in anywhere from four weeks to eight months. Examples include the four week Stop Motion, Model Making, and CG Flair programs; Stop Motion Character Animation (five weeks); Scriptwriting Professional (eight weeks); Stop Motion 1 and 2 (12 weeks); and Stop Motion Film Production (eight months). 

Across programs, students benefit from courses taught by industry animators and directors; workshops; and partnerships with the experimenta.l. animation lab at the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, and Royal College of Art (RCA), among others. Upon completion of the programs, students will participate in a graduation ceremony at Aardman’s Gas Ferry Road Studios. In addition to Aardman Animations, program alumni have been hired at places such as Blue Zoo Animation Studio, Cartoon Saloon, LAIKA, Framestore, Passion Pictures, Netflix, Lupus Films, Mackinnon & Saunders, Blinkink, and Nexus Studios. 

The Animation Institute at Film Academy Baden-Württemberg (FABW) trains students in animation, games, visual effects, directing, and interactive media. Established in 2002, this competitive institute houses an Animation diploma program with specializations in Animation Directing; Concept Art; and Character Animation. The institute’s VFX diploma program also provides animation training. Highlights across programs include courses led by award-winning industry professionals; hands-on workshops; collaborative projects; and the participation in the annual FMX - Film and Media Exchange conference.

Programs culminate with a final project and presentation. Graduates have secured roles at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, Weta FX, Pixar, Framestore, Mackevision, and Pixomondo.

La Poudrière is part of a major animation center that shares a campus with studios such as Fargo Studio and Folimage Studio. One of just three film schools recognized by the French Ministry of Culture, the school houses several paths to study animation. Options include a two-year Author Director of Animated Film (ADAF) diploma program, and certificates in Creating the Storyboard for an Animated Film; Writing for Animation; and Scriptwriting and Concept Development. The ADAF program culminates with a portfolio consisting of several market-ready films. Short programs conclude with a final project. 

La Poudrière graduates enjoy a near-perfect 98% employment rate. To date, they have produced over 280 films and TV shows. Several alumni have earned the Cesar Award. Equivalent to an Oscar, the Cesar France’s highest film honor. Companies that routinely hire La Poudrière graduates include Xilam Animation, TeamTO, Folimage Studio, Les Films du Nord, Fargo Studio, and Sacrebleu Productions.

The Game Assembly (TGA) is a Houdini Certified School with locations in Sweden and the UK. The school houses a Game Animator diploma program that emphasizes collaboration. Throughout the program, students have the opportunity to work in cross-disciplinary teams to create several playable games. This immersive 30-month program also takes place in a studio-like environment, with a mandatory 30-week internship at a real game design studio. Many of these internships lead to employment. 

Graduates are routinely hired at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Massive Entertainment (a Ubisoft Studio), Guerilla Games (PlayStation Studios), Avalanche Studios Group, Larian Studios, and Cloud Imperium Games. 

FX Barcelona Film School (formerly FX Animation) is an Unreal Academic Partner and the first school to integrate virtual production into its training programs. For animators, the school provides several paths of study. Options include a bachelor’s in Digital Arts with a specialization in 3D Character Animation; a double degree in Concept Art and 2D Animation; and a master’s degree in 3D Animation Film. All programs highlight project-based learning with focused coursework in animation for animated and live-action films; cross-disciplinary training; experiential learning opportunities such as internships; and participation in film festivals. 

Programs culminate with an industry-ready film, demo reel, and portfolio. Graduates enjoy a near-perfect 99% employment rate across more than 800 studios around the world. Examples include Marvel Studios, DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Netflix, Disney, Sony Pictures Animation, WETA FX, MPC, Blizzard Entertainment, Warner Bros., Riot Games, Ubisoft, Electronic Arts (EA), Pixar, Apple Studios, LAIKA, Amazon, Epic Games, Mikros Animation, Gameloft, DNEG, Bungie, and Framestore. 

ESCAC provides two flexible programs for animators seeking an advanced degree. The broad Master in Film and Screen Studies explores animation, game design, experimental filmmaking, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), interactivity, VR cinema, documentary filmmaking, and television production. The Master in Cinematography allows students to study animation through mentoring and focused electives in digital animation, VFX, and live-action film. Programs culminate with the Master’s Degree Final Project (TFM) in written and/or audiovisual format. Graduates have been hired at ESCAC’s own production company Escandalo Films, and places such as Netflix, Suma Content, Alicante Films, and FLIMAX. 

9Zeros is the animation branch of ECIB - Escola de Cinema de Barcelona (The Barcelona Film School). As part of ECIB, 9Zeros is an Authorized Auto Desk Training Center and Avid Learning Partner that provides more than a dozen animation degrees and short training programs. Examples include the Animation diploma, and master’s degrees in Character Design, 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Concept Art and Character Design, Storyboarding, VFX, and Stop-Motion—the oldest program of its kind in Spain. Across programs students benefit from courses taught by veteran animators; workshops; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; visiting artists; and professional internships. 

Programs culminate with an original animated short. Graduates have been hired at places such as Pixar, Aardman Animations, DNEG, Weta FX, Digital Domain, Lightbox Animation Studios, and Reel FX. 

Pepe School Land (Pepe School) is a competitive institution that accepts just 20 students per year. With dedicated production facilities and an immersive curriculum, the school provides a Modeling, Animation, and Storytelling (MAN) program that alternates with a DemoReel Creation (CDR) workshop. This means, one year only the MAN program will be taught with 20 students. The next year, only the CDR course will be taught with no more than six students. The MAN program focuses on mastering the latest 3D software, narrative, and 3D animation. The CDR workshop focuses on producing a professional demo reel. Graduates can be found at places such as Pixar, Gameloft, Paramount, Aardman Animations, Valve Corporation, and Crema. 

PIXL VISN Media Arts Academy provides an accelerated path to become an animator or VFX artist. The 18-month training program features hands-on projects and courses led by accomplished industry professionals. Students also benefit from access to small, focused group activities; access to latest industry technology and tools; and interactive workshops. The program culminates with an original work and professional portfolio. Graduates have worked on productions such as The Mandalorian; Game of Thrones; Black Panther; Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame; The Walking Dead; and Dumbo.

PIXL VISN graduates have also been hired at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), MPC, Blizzard Entertainment, DNEG, Blizzard Entertainment, Weta FX, Cinesite, Electronic Arts (EA), and Pixomondo. 

Games Academy is Germany’s first and only college to focus solely on computer and video game production. It is also the oldest state-recognized games school in Europe. In 2019, the school merged with MDH University of Applied Sciences to create one of the largest collections of game design programs in Berlin. This includes a two-year Digital Artist (GA) diploma program that explores color and light, 3D Animation, and 3D Modeling. Other program highlights include courses taught by industry professionals; the opportunity to earn two diplomas in 2.5 years by adding the Game Design (GA) program; and the option to complete the program entirely online or on campus. 

The program culminates with several projects and a professional portfolio. Games Academy graduates can be found at places such as DreamWorks, Electronic Arts (EA), Disney, Ubisoft, Epic Games, Pixar, Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Unity, The Jim Henson Company, Amazon, Valve Corporation, Naughty Dog, Framestore, Insomniac Games, and Sandbox Interactive.